Portraits for Individuals, Couples, Children and HS Seniors

A journaling approach with portrait photography...

2012-02-16T20:46:00.003-06:00

Each life is a unique occasion,

a delight to know and a pleasure to behold.

An individual, a free spirit, a wonderful mind;

personality and character.

Grab shot from a recent SEWPPA program with David Humphrey

2011-10-09T09:12:00.001-05:00

I liked the model's look against the sky and the wispy clouds. Then I pulled out my digital toolbox. I used the latest Florabella release (Classic Workflow and Hazy Skies) and finished it off with the new Bokeh textures from Shadowhouse Creations.

Senior portraits - Katie

2011-09-03T08:37:00.001-05:00

Senior portraits - Shiloh

2011-08-25T08:22:00.001-05:00

Lake Park locations

Senior Portraits - Michelle

2011-08-15T11:11:00.004-05:00

Lake Park locations

Senior Portraits - David

2011-08-15T11:10:00.001-05:00

Studio green screen

Senior Portraits - Maggie

2011-08-15T11:05:00.002-05:00

Kletzsch Park locations

Senior Portraits - Rachel

2011-08-15T11:03:00.002-05:00

Lake Park location.

Growing up - one day at a time...

2011-08-07T14:18:00.002-05:00

Enjoy every moment.

Follow your heart and your dreams will come true!

2011-07-17T22:28:00.010-05:00

A scrap booking approach for your life's moments...

A young teen - a time for discovery, somewhat independent and unlimited texting privileges. What a life. And now with digital scrapbook doodling - what great memories.

From traditional to contemporary photography, and beyond...

2011-06-19T14:40:00.008-05:00

Pride in craftsmanship has long been a trademark of professional photographers. Learning and following the "rules" of composition, colour and all the technical things taught in school and in workshops has been a continuing education. Today, there seems to be a generation of photographers who didn't have to learn these things since the demise of film - letting the automation of digital photography replace a solid education.

Taking the lessons from the past and putting them to use with today's digital photography has opened up quite a bit of creativity. These examples of the more traditional look in the first image with a contemporary enhancement in the second image - in this example is a "Vanilla pop". You can click on the image to see a detailed view.

This example is called "Sea Delight" adding a blue/green gradient over the original colour.

The ever popular "Cross Process" is where traditional colour negative film was processed in chemistry meant for slide film - the result is rather edgy.

The end effect however is in the eye of the beholder - IOW, a choice. Today there are many.

Pleas keep scrolling down to see the next post about scrapbooking!

Digital scrapbook fun...

2011-06-19T12:45:00.017-05:00

My days as a wedding photographer took me to album design software where multiple images in varying sizes could be imported to an album page. These sometimes looked a lot like the paper mats that were used to place photographs behind. As things progressed, a variety of templates were offered to make album pages look more interesting.

Since then, a plethora of new designs have come on board primarily for the children and senior portrait market - to use for books (shorter versions than the wedding albums) and the 10x20 and 12x24 portrait panels that you see on my website. A variety of elements are added for interest.

There is also an emerging market of "Digital Scrapbookers" that has been popular among scrapbook hobbyists, I am amazed to find how popular it has become. For photographers to use their portrait images and present them in an exciting and creative way, that can result in a custom design for each and every client.

The portrait on this page has been digitally painted in Corel Painter® and placed on a digital paper consisting of several layers to bring out the desired colours. Elements are added to give meaning to the client. This has been my favorite design so far.

This is probably more of a nature concept of a contemplative young lady. It is quite a challenge to remember the elements and tools one has, to make these pages come to life.

These were my initial foray, with my wife providing input. She was wishing she could manage her way around Photoshop® because she enjoyed this so much. These images were from a previous model shoot.

Facebook Fan Page promotion...

2011-05-06T08:31:00.002-05:00

This card entitles the bearer to one 8 x 10 or smaller size print added to their order (one per senior please).

Go here then click on the “like” button on that page to become a fan to receive updated info and to see new senior portrait sessions..

Modelling session

2011-04-23T09:45:00.009-05:00

This is from a session I shared in at a friends studio. The model is from Madison, quite limber and knows how to present herself.

Jamie's take on "Stripe a Pose" a la Edie Sedgewick.

Multiple expressions note the "grain" and texture in this composite.

Composite

"The eyes have it."
Thiso images were taken in a 4' x 4' backlit white box.

These images of Jamie in the striped top were lit with a hot (incandescent) light -

actually' it is a $6 shop light from Home Depot.
This was electronically cross-processed with added texture.

Black and white with added texture.

Light Flair is from Kaleidoscope.

www.pattibrownphotography.com

Senior pictures...

2011-03-12T23:02:00.000-06:00

A new Animoto movie of teens from the past year.

Toofies...

2010-12-08T07:37:00.010-06:00

The charm of childhood, always delightful at this young age. A soft and uncluttered warm tone setting will enhance the viewers feelings toward their child or grandchild.

My portraits are facially enhanced and embellished with a complimentary background texture - a charming portrait keeping the classic style with the addition of a contemporary look.

Original Fine Art Portraiture

2010-11-10T07:58:00.022-06:00

Captivating, poetic and emotive expressions.

A fine art approach for a personal portrait collection.

Fine art generally entails a statement by the artist, which narrates the artists thoughts and feelings relating to the purpose of the piece created. In portraiture however, the photographer achieves that narrative with sensitivity and understanding – capturing the facets of a subjects persona.

I prefer to present my portraits of this style with tone rather than in color. Tones of black and white will convey a mood more so than straight black and white. Sepia tones are warm, nostalgic and romantic; where blue tones are peaceful and calming while adding a hint of mystery.

I do not have a preconception about the final portrait when I photograph. I shoot lots of frames and I don't know what I have until the session is over with. In the end, I want to capture the emotions that relate to the subjects personal experiences.

A Richard Bublitz original is a photographic portrait that will give you joy and satisfaction to look at, a work of art you can take pride in sharing with your family and friends, and will be as valuable in the future as it becomes today.

More high school seniors ... 2010 season

2010-09-30T21:48:00.002-05:00

Late summer provides some great opportunities, even though school has already started.

Christina...

Katie...

Amelia

2010-08-30T18:39:00.003-05:00

... is a student at Ronald Reagan College Preparatory High School

Her photos were taken in The Third Ward, the Walkers Point area and at the studio.

Right around the corner to your Senior Year...

2010-08-27T14:40:00.013-05:00

I hope your dreams take you to the corners of your smiles,
to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities,
and to the most special places your heart has ever known.

Kaitlyn has her day for senior portraits...

2010-08-20T20:32:00.036-05:00

Last time she was just seven years old, and I did a portrait of her with her younger brother. My studio was in Mequon and I was just getting started with digital photography.

In studio portraits...

The following outdoor photographs were taken at Lake Park and the Lake Park Bistro.

A Saturday outing with Nathan & Avery...

2010-08-10T16:49:00.011-05:00

Capturing kids being kids is a rewarding experience.

Nathan is rather active - I concentrated on patience and good timing with him to capture these images. Avery is a delight to work with as well.

Rising Star...

2010-07-14T10:05:00.008-05:00

Meet Caitlin. This is from her portfolio shoot - from grungy to fashion. The location is at the grounds of the Horlick brothers plant in Racine. Horlicks is a world wide manufacturer of malted milk products - this facility however has been closed for some time. It is current the home of many small businesses. It also offers a variety of scenes for contemporary portraits.

I really enjoy working with a model who knows how to create drama - it helps me to create mine.

Ashley Marie

2010-06-23T09:11:00.001-05:00

This is the third time Ashley has modelled for me. I wanted to work out the schemes at my new (and much smaller) studio and gain experience with a new lighting system as well. I also did some green screen work that I was quite satisfied with. These are some post production design examples. Ashley is beautiful, expressive and loves the camera.

Green screen chroma key...

2010-06-22T11:54:00.014-05:00

A green screen background provides the opportunity to record a variety of expressions, wardrobe and looks without having to change the background materials. This is how my portraits look against the green screen once enhanced.

Computer software removes the green to expose my digital background. I especially like the textures of the Renaissance artists.

This background is also a favorite - created from a canvas background, blended with a texture screen. This technique will have magnificent possibilities in photographic montages.

While background files without a visible light direction work best, scenic images will work as well. The trick is to combine images where the light direction is harmonious in both.

Being totally RAD... a creative twist for senior portraits.

2010-06-09T07:02:00.019-05:00

The "Street Scene" is taken a step further by going to locations of urban decay... the neat stuff hanging around from yesteryear and making it current for today's generation. The object is not to just take some shots in an area of abandoned buildings, but to work with an individual to make their portraits uniquely their own, by creating something special for them. This may include direction in dramatic posing and post production techniques with digital images.

These were taken in an area on south Water Street.

The Harley Davidson Museum grounds offered great opportunities.

2010-05-09T15:03:00.009-05:00

This personal mini-yearbook is from a collection of selected high school senior portraits created over the last three years. I am known for my style of creating portraits that express character and endless personality. What a way to have those most precious keepsakes in a your own coffee table book.

This book style is being offered to the class of 2011 who have their portraits made at Portraits & Dreams Photography Studio. Best best friends may like to combine their portraits in one book as their own mini-yearbook.

An example of a High School Senior coffee table book, click it... Senior Class

Portrait panels...

2010-02-21T21:05:00.004-06:00

These creations are becoming increasingly popular and are a precious keepsake for the graduating senior and their family. Generally these are a collection of from two to four images and are offered in the 10 inch by 20 inch size and the 10 inch by 10 inch size. The designs are based on client input and their imager selection. This is one of the designs being developed for the 2010 season and each client can expect to see variations on this theme.

New Paintings from High School Senior summer sessions...

2009-12-21T19:55:00.004-06:00

These will be offered in 2010!

Transition Portraits

2009-12-16T22:11:00.000-06:00

... a photographic image digitally rendered to heighten the perceptual experience, emulated more closely by a painting or drawing than in a photograph alone. These are offered as archival pigmented ink prints on paper or canvas in display print sizes.

I photographed Ali last year and decided to revisit some of those images, as I felt they would make great paintings, This was completely done with hand brush strokes in Corel Painter. While the underpainting was done automatically, most of it was painted over with various levels of detail.

Pastel Chalk drawing in Corel Painter

2009-11-18T09:11:00.005-06:00

This photograph was first enhanced in Photoshop® and then rendered in a simplified pastel colour palette. The image was imported to Corel Painter® and totally hand painted using a stylus on a Wacom tablet.

This is a series and a product line that I offer as Interpretive Fine Art Portraiture.

Lightroom and Photoshop in action

2009-11-14T21:43:00.000-06:00

I revisited a shoot I did with Ashley last year to try out a few new post processing things I picked up along the way. It's a good thing to capture in the RAW format, because this image was under exposed by one stop. And since I wanted to work with a pale palette, I needed to rely on the processing offered in Photoshop Lightroom. I proceeded with some retouching and skin smoothing in Photoshop and finished with an edge effect.

An after thought was to do a b&w conversion - sort of.

Late summer senior sessions...

2009-09-17T17:36:00.003-05:00

Mugsy @ Lake Park

Erica...

2009-08-23T06:52:00.007-05:00

At Big Bay Beach in Whitefish Bay...

More senior portrait fun...

2009-08-21T16:45:00.006-05:00

Abbie... outdoor studio loation

Abbie... outdoor studio treeline

Abbie in the studio...

Alyson, digital watercolor rendition...

Alyson, digital pencil sketch rendition...

Alyson, classic senior portrait...

Rick from Grafton HS

2009-08-20T12:03:00.004-05:00

It's "Senior" season... can you tell?

2009-08-18T17:29:00.006-05:00

Michelle...

Katelyn in the studio...

Megan outdoors at Lake park...

Concept Shoot....

2009-08-17T20:39:00.000-05:00

Model : Lily
Hair : Mari Bowring
MUA : Naomi Stone

The androgynous look...

Hey Kat...

2009-08-17T17:34:00.003-05:00

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Anna - August 6, 2009

2009-08-13T11:39:00.003-05:00

In Studio...

Lake Park Pavilion area...

Jennifer... August 5, 2009

2009-08-12T17:39:00.004-05:00

Studio and home location session

Kelly...

2009-08-03T15:56:00.002-05:00

... a Third Ward session

Krystyna & Griffith - Senior portraits

2009-07-16T12:35:00.005-05:00

Twins! But, Krystyna is the first born.

Studio headshots...

Outdoor shots taken around the studio building can be included in the three pose A la Carte studio session fee.

Bridgid

2009-07-14T17:02:00.002-05:00

A recent shoot inside and outside the studio...

Sadie from Grafton High School

2009-07-01T17:06:00.005-05:00

As a scholar athlete, Sadie holds multiple school records and championships in the 100 yard backstroke, placed in state and medaled in the 200 IM and 100 fly. She is ae Schroeder YMCA Club Swimming US Open qualifier in the 100 yard backstroke

Sadie is accomplished and determined..... she has a promising future. Her senior pictures were taken in the studio and at Lake Park around the pavilion (Lake Park Bistro) and the bridges,

This is what life is all about...

2009-06-20T16:50:00.004-05:00

Relationships, caring and love...

Boys being boys...

Personalities abound...

These are from a family portrait session done earlier this year. Mom wanted to have the images made in black and white because it focuses on personality and character moreso than colour images. She is very pleased.

A word about senior portrait discounts...

2009-06-15T11:55:00.009-05:00

I do not inflate my senior portrait prices to facilitate a discount. Indeed to keep things reasonable, I have reduced my first print price since last year. Furthermore my regular session fees are at or lower than the half price sessions than offered by many others. I do however, provide a 10% entire order discount to the Class of 2010, photographed by July 17, 2009. This discount apply to portraits ordered within 10 days of the date you receive the preview disk - this is generally the same day, or within 5 days. Orders placed beyond 14 days will not receive the discount.

Please call 414-271-6700 for specific information!

Kelly at Bradford Beach.

Downtown Milwaukee walk-about.

2009-05-27T10:34:00.014-05:00

Megans portraits were done at the entrance to the Milwaukee City hall and the areas around the performing Arts Center.

Lauren returns for her outdoor photography. This is one from the many different colours of the recessed doorways of Sydney Hih.

Third Ward walk-about...

2009-05-05T23:09:00.008-05:00

Sunday was a great day for these portraits with Jenna, and was excited about the Third ward shoot...

Jenna also enjoys a more creative approach in her portraits!

Publicity photography.... the urban look.

2009-04-25T06:56:00.000-05:00

I was commissioned by Megumi, First Trombone for the MSO, to do the photography for use as a poster for the trombone manufacturer as well as for her own publicity. The location is the pedestrian bridge beneath the Holton Street bridge over the Milwaukee River and North Water Street.

These images are enhanced with a variety of digital techniques.

Photoshop® services - retouching and image enhancement...

2009-03-21T08:37:00.000-05:00

Click on image to see an enlarged view...

I offer my services for Photoshop® work done on images after they have been captured correctly in a digital camera. I have been educated in photography and have continued with workshops both in photography, digital imaging and Photoshop®. I am a member of NAPP (the National Association of Photoshop® Professionals) which offers continuing education with Photoshop® techniques and practices.

This service is offered to consumers and professional photographers who own the copyright to their images. If you do not own the copyright, I will need a copyright release from your photographer (this is between myself and your photographer - and not a "says it's OK), giving me permission to work on your images. Pricing is by quotation after I have reviewed your images and have an understanding of the work you require.

Basic retouching for portraits includes exposure and contrast adjustment, colour neutralizing and simple blemish removal - $25.00 each image. Services for scenic and art images also includes exposure and contrast adjustment, colour neutralizing and conversions such as black and white, toning and edge effects - range from $25.00 and up.

Click on image to see an enlarged view...

Examples of other enhancements are offered below.

Jenna's Senior pictures

2009-03-09T07:02:00.011-05:00

Jennifer is from Homestead High School... involved with government and social studies, French, English and rowing. She is on the Student Council and heads the Yearbook staff at Homestead. I had the pleasure of photographing Jenna and her family in the past. Thank you Jenna for choosing Portraits & Dreams as your photographer.

Another senior portrait opportunity...

2009-03-04T09:23:00.011-06:00

Meet Lauren from Whitefish Bay High School. Lauren is actively involved with two swim teams and is ranked eighth in the state for the 500 meter event. Her compelling expressions and her relaxed personality made this an enjoyable portrait session. The first example here is a custom 10" x 20" portrait panel - click on it to enlarge. Enjoy!

New video!

2009-02-25T11:15:00.004-06:00

I now have a video of senior portrait images on my website. You can view it herel

Please scroll down to view this entire page - for the goodies and earlybird discounts!

It's senior portrait model season at Portraits & Dreams Photography...

2009-02-21T16:28:00.012-06:00

This is Megan from Homestead High School - she came to her first session with her great personality and captivating expressions. I photographed her older brother and sister in the past years as well. Megan is quite involved with both basketball and tennis.

Street scenes, the urban look...

2009-02-08T09:43:00.007-06:00

This style is a departure from the classic look in portrait photography.

This location is not too far from my studio — the pedestrian access at Water street, beneath the Holton Street bridge. The area provides neat outdoor lighting amongst girders, fences and a lot of old buildings. Indeed a journalistic approach to teen photography.

Areas around East Town, the Third Ward and the lakefront all provide a plethora of variety.

Urban

2009-02-08T09:33:00.000-06:00

The location is not too far from my studio...

This shoot took place last summer. Model by Ricky, photography and post production by... me.

It's all about Marilyn....

2009-02-01T22:18:00.000-06:00

I have photographed Ali on three separate occasions now. She is delightful, talented, full of energy and ideas. Sha is also a budding actress and has since relocated to Hollywood. She is also reported to have a brief appearance in the movie "Public Enemies".

This was one of a series of shots she styled.

Kinda grungy .... that's the way (aha aha) I like it (aha aha) ...

2009-01-29T00:10:00.000-06:00

The concept started with capturing mood and captivating expressions in a rather natural way. From there, the creative process continued in Photoshop. These images were all created with natural (afternoon) window light in my studio.

Variety is the spice of lofe...

2009-01-28T20:18:00.000-06:00

When you do one thing very well, you're considered an expert. But when you do a lot of different things, you're considered adventuresome. Let the photography adventure begin.

From time to time, I will work with a model just for the purpose of attempting something different. I have the opportunity to hone my technical skills and we both garner some material for our "books". I worked with an aspiring model last weekend - my objective was to create some "edgy" images. It was a good shoot!

Cross processing is the procedure of deliberately processing photographic film in a chemical solution intended for a different type of film. The effect was discovered independently by many different photographers often by mistake in the days of C-22 and E-4 . This can be imitated with digital photography by readjusting color curves in Photoshop.

This and the first image were taken with diffuse window light in my studio - a first for me after a year and a half since first moving it to the Water Street Studio.

Unpretentiously creative...

2009-01-28T20:01:00.003-06:00

This is the time of the year I start my marketing activities for High School Senior portraits. This age is often considered a hallmark in a teens life, and is considered a turning point and of becoming independent. It is also a time when the graduating teen is feeling pretty good about themselves, So, remembering this period in their life with professional portraits is a big deal.

I am generally known for a style of creating natural portraits that express the endless personality, fun and energy of every senior I photograph. Seniors can expect both contemporary and classic looks – in the studio, and at park or street scene locations. A variety of looks are sure to be had.

These portraits are made during the summer – this is when there is the time away from classes and school activities. Seniors who include senior portraits in summertime planning now, receive a $50.00 credit on any "Artist's Collection" when they book their summertime session now. See my Portraits & Dreams website for additional information.

Portraits & Dreams, Inc.
Photography by Richard Bublitz
1661 North Water Street
Suite 210
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414.271.6700